My god, did we get spoiled Friday. 65 degrees in the middle of February! It's really unheard of, and it felt totally inappropriate, but it was EXACTLY the relief that was needed after this cold, blizzard-plagued winter. Dare I say, it felt like a miracle day! And the best news is it was such an event I was able to get enough to fill an entire page of Amazing Strangers for you!

Today's FEATURED VIDEO is a collection of everything I captured on film that day squashed together in a strange musical homage to February 18th, 2011.
Now, the very next day it's 29 degrees again, back to winter as usual. But the dream of what we had will last for weeks.

FEATURED VIDEO

Wendel the Garbageman
Photos by Normal Bob

Is there a photo of Wendel that doesn't include a garbage can? I mean, Christ! Put a couple eyes on that thing and you've got a sidekick for his Saturday morning cartoon.

So what happens when you take my two greatest weaknesses, Mall Punk & Jersey Girl, and combine the two? Well, someone with one of the most uninviting personalities, but totally tollerable for at least for a minute because... well just look!

I realize I'm alone on this one, and most everyone else is like "huh?"But I make no apologies for being stupid like that.

Angelica
Photos by Normal Bob

No joke, it was like God plucked a day out of Spring and plopped it right in the middle of winter for us. And to me nothing expressed it more clearly than Angelica's outfit, and those shoes! There's no WAY that outfit has ever seen a New York February before! An outfit even winter itself couldn't pierce.

This should not have happened. These shoes, that outfit, this time of year, should not have all come together, but it did! Do you realize how incredible this is yet?

Day Day
Photo by Normal Bob

On the other hand, Day Day had no problem being the reminder that it's still winter, tomorrow's going to be freezing, and he's all but counting down the hours to 32 degrees and windy.

I know how you feel about it Day Day, and we don't need this right now. Take off the hat, fold up the sweater for tomorrow because today it's spring. It's fucking spring and there's nothing you can do about it... until tomorrow.

Dog Molester “Photo”
Video by Normal Bob

I've been asked several times "Are there any Amazing Strangers you miss? Ones that don't come around any more that you really liked?"
And the answer is, "Yes. The Dog Molester."

He hardly came around at all last year, and I was beginning to think the whole balance of the map, my site, and the park in general were going to go into a tailspin without him! He's clearly trying to keep it on the DL by the sound of it.

I just pray this appearance is a sign for lots more Dog Molester in 2011, because what's Union Square without a dog molester? Like a dog without a bone.

Skater Nightmare
Photo by Normal Bob

This is Skater Bob's worst nightmare. And to make matters even worse this kid really loved how the board bounced in the middle when he hopped up and down on it! In fact, he really didn't even have to roll around on the thing to have a blast with it. Just bounce bounce bounce bounce, and look! He's a skater! And he just made up a new trick.

Seriously, Skater Bob wakes up screaming in the middle of the night because of images like this,
which is exactly why I post 'em.

Spitting GraverSecurity
Photo by Normal Bob

I admit I made a mistake last year dubbing this guy the Spitting Graver. Since then I don't think I've seen him ever spit again, and he's not once shown up dressed like a Graver. Yes, I do fuck up on occasion, but I'm a big enough man to admit when I do.

He is "Security," because he has a shirt with that written across the back which he wore most of last year, and he patrols the park making sure it's secure. He's really grown on me as a matter of fact. Security, that is.

Back to Free Massages?
Video by Normal Bob

What's this? Peace through Facesitting is back to Free Massages? But what about your face? But what about world peace? But what about BUTTS!?!

IS THIS THE END OF "SIT ON MY FACE" GUY, WHICH IN TURN IS THE END OF HOPE FOR WORLD PEACE?!? SAY IT ISN'T SO!

Dickhead
Video by Normal Bob

It's not perfect, but what we have here is a boner with a huge, misshapened helmet on it, spooge squirting out of the tip across the top of his head, and the balls probably dropping well below his neck between his shoulders. Plus his pants keep falling down in front of the police.